GRACE Ogunleye, the Vice Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, has regained freedom after she was abducted by gunmen along the Ipere–Iludun road.
News Point Nigeria gathered that the council official was kidnapped on Wednesday while returning from an official engagement.
Sources said Ogunleye’s vehicle was later discovered abandoned by the roadside, raising concerns about her whereabouts after the incident.
Attempts to reach her through her mobile phone reportedly failed, as the line was said to have been switched off shortly after the abduction.
It was further gathered that the vice chairman had earlier visited the Ilejemeje Local Government Secretariat before heading towards Ido Ekiti when armed men allegedly intercepted her vehicle and whisked her away.
Confirming the development earlier, the Director of Information and Civic Orientation for Ilejemeje LGA, Falade Sunday, said security agencies had been alerted and efforts were underway to secure her release.
The spokesperson of the Ekiti State Police Command, Sunday Abutu, also confirmed the incident.
However, in a later security update, the police command announced that Ogunleye had been rescued unharmed following a coordinated rescue operation involving multiple security agencies.
“One Mrs Ogunleye Grace, the Vice Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government, who was allegedly kidnapped on 20th May, 2026 by yet to be identified hoodlums has been rescued unhurt,” the police statement read.
According to the command, the rescue followed a joint operation involving the Police, the Military, other security agencies and local security personnel who mounted pressure on the kidnappers.
“The breakthrough came as a result of a joint operation by the Police, the Military and other security agencies as well as the local security personnel, who embarked on a rescue mission and mounted pressure on the hoodlums,” the statement added.
The police also disclosed that the Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, Falade Adegoroye Michael, had directed a full-scale investigation into the incident.
